Sanitary liquid dispenser



Jan. 5, 1943, J. A. LE VAS-SEUR 2,

I SANITARY LIQUID DISPENSER I Filed Jan. 18, 1940 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 'INVENTOR Joseph Armand Le I/asseur ATTORNEY .Jan. 5, 1943. J.' A. LE VASSEUR 2,307,691

SANITARY LIQUID DISPENSER Fil ed Jan. 18, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Joseph Armand Le l/asseur ATTORNEY alternative,

Patented Jan. 5, 1943 GFFICE SANITARY UIQUH) DISPENSER Joseph Armand Le Vasseur, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Application January 18, 1940, Serial No. 314,555

, In Canada November 14, 1939 11 Claims.

This invention relates to a sanitary liquid dispenser for receptacles and particularly cans.

An object of the present invention is the pro vision of a device which may be attached to'a can to dispense the liquid contents thereof without spilling them.- I

Another object is the provision of a device which may be attached to cans containing liquids used for human'consumption such as soups, fruit juices and vegetable juices, for dispensing said liquids over a period of time without fear of contamination.

Another object is the provision'oi a liquid dispenser for cans adapted to keep the cans airtight after they are opened.

A further object is the provision of a device which may be used to puncture a can and then secured thereto to act as a sanitary liquid dispenser.

' A still further object is the provision of a liquid dispenser for cans including means for supthe liquid is removed plying air to the cans as therefrom. v

With these and other object in view, the present invention consists essentially of a sanitary liquid dispenser for cans or the like, comprising a base having a slot extending therethrough, a cover removably mounted-on the base, a spout associated with the cover, a sleeve depending from the base in registry with the slot, means for puncturing the can to form a hole the same size and shape as the sleeve, and means for drawing the sleeve down into the hole and securing the dispenser on the can, as more fully described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a sectional View of the sanitary dispenser just being applied to a can, the latter being partly in section,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the dispenser secured in position on a can shown partly in section,

Figure 3 is a plan view cover removed,

Figure 4 is a View of the inner surface of the can top with the dispenser in position,

Figure 5 is a sectional view similar to Figure 1 of an alternative form of dispenser with its cover removed,

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figur 4 with the alternative dispenser secured in position,

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view of another of the dispenser with its Figure 8 is a plan view of the-dispenser of Fig ure 7 with its cover removed and a part broke away,

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the dispenser of Figure 7, and e V Figure 10 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the base of a further variation of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, i ll is a circular base having an upwardly projecting flange ll extending around its upper surface at the peripherythereof, said flange being formed with screw threads 12 in its inner surface; This base is formed with a fiat bottom l3 and has a concave upper'surface I i which slopes from its outer edge downwardly to a central elongated slot 15 extending through the base It. The slot I5 is preferably rectangular and a sleeve it, which is the same shape as the slot, registers therewith and depends downwardly from the bottom ofthe base. An opening vl'l is cut in each side of the sleeve I6 substantially midway between theends thereof. A substantially inverted U-shaped supporting bracket I8 is mounted on the upper surface M of the base and straddles the slot l5, said bracket having an orifice [9 formed centrally thereof over the slot.

A blade 29, elongated in cross section, is provided which is formed with acutting point 2i at its lower end while at its inner end said blade is the same shape as the slot I5 and the sleeve [-6.

-A projection 22 formed on the inner, end of the blade, is the same shape as th blade while the sides and ends of the projection are spaced from the sides and ends of the blade a distance equal to the thickness of the wall of the sleeve 26. The projection 22 is designed to fit just nicely into the sleeve at which time the outer surfaces of the blade are flush with the outer surfaces of said sleeve. Furthermore, the width of each opening H is equal to the width of the projection 22 so that the blade may be turned and the projection fitted into said openings which are in line with each other. a

A threaded stem 23 extends upwardly from the blade 20 through the slot I5 and through the orifice l9 of th bracket l8 where a wing nut24 is threaded thereon above said bracket. This wing nut is provided with a sleeve which extends through the orifice l9 and has a collar 25 at each end thereof, said collars being adapted to prevent the wingvnut from moving up'or down when it is turned so that the stem 23 must move up or down as the nut is rotated. A pointer 2-6 located on the upper end of the stem 23, is adapted to indicate the position of the blade 20 with respect to the sleeve IS.

A cover 21, preferably dome-shaped and having threads 28 on its outer surface at the edge thereof, is adapted to be screwed into the base Ill, the threads l2 of the flange I l co-operating with the threads 28 of the cover for this purpose. When assembled the cover and the base form a chamber 30. A comparatively long spout 3| projects outwardly from the cover 21 and has a cap 32 removably mounted on its outer end while a plug 33 is fitted into the cover, saidplug having an air passage 34 extending therethrough and a cap 35 rotatably mounted in its outer end with an orifice 36 formed therein adapted to be brought into registry with the passage when the capis turned.

When it is desired to attach the dispenser to a can, the blade 20 is turned until it extends longitudinally of the sleeve I6 and the projection 22 is drawn upwardly into said sleeve by turning the wing nut 24 on the stem 23, see Figure 1. Then the blade is forced through the top of the can making a hole into which the sleeve 15 snugly fits since the sides and ends of the latter are flush with the sides and ends of the blade. Next, the nut 24 is turned to allow the blade to drop downwardly sufficiently to permit the projection 22 to clear the sleeve [6, at which time the stem 23 is rotated a quarter turn until said projection is brought into registry with the openings I! in the sleeve and then the nut is again turned to draw the projection into said openings. As the projection is drawn upwardly, itis brought into engagement with the under side of the can top and moves the latter against the bottom 13 of the base l0. In other words, it brings the can top and the bottom l3 together and forms a tightjoint therebetween and, if desired, a washer may be provided between these parts. At the sametime the blade securely fastens the dispenser to the can.

When the cap 32 is removed from the spout 3i and the cap 35 of theplug 33 turned to bring the orifice 35 into registry with the air passage 34, the contents of the can may be poured out throughthe dispenser since the spout is now in communication with the interior of the' can through the chamber 38, the slot l and the sleeve l6. The blade 20 devides the sleeve .into two sections so that as the can is tippe'din the direction of the spout, the liquid-contents run through the portion of the sleeve below the blade while air entering through the :air passage 34, passes into the can through the portion of the sleeve above the blade.

In the alternative illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the blade 20 projects outwardly from the side of the base I0 and anarm 31 is pivotally mounted at substantially its mid .point on the lower end of the stem 23, said arm being provided with a weight 38 at each end thereof. These weights are preferably fairly long and, one is a little heavier than the other.

With this arrangement, the top of the can is punctured by means of the blade20 which makes a hole just large enough for the sleeve Hi to fit into. To attach the dispenser to the 'can,'th'e stem 23 is moved downwardly to its lowermost position, the arm 3'! is pivoted to bring the heavier weight 38 against the stem, said stem is inserted through the hole into the can until the upper weight clears the can top at which time said weight drops downwardly until the other weightengages the lower surface ofthe can top,

and then the nut 24 is turned to draw the weights against the underside of the can top and the sleeve l6 down into the hole to form a fluid tight joint. From then on the alternative dispenser is operated and functions the same as the previously described dispenser.

In the alternative of Figures 7, 8 and 9, the supporting bracket I8 is loosely mounted on the upper surface l4 of the base l0 and the orifice I9 is threaded internally so that the bracket is threaded on to the stem 23, thus making the wing nut 24 unnecessary. The bracket extends all the way across the surface l4 and a pair of spaced bars 40 span the slot 15 centrally thereof I between which the stem 23 extends. The bars 40 and the length of th bracket l8 prevent any undue lateral movement of the stem. The cover 21 may be threaded on to the base, as in Figures 1 to 6, or it may be provided with bayonet slots 4| adapted to co-operate with pins 42 projecting outwardly from the base, as shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9. In the latter case, the pointer 26 is spaced from the upper end of the stem 23, and a compression spring 43extends between a seat resting on the pointer, and the inner surface of the cover 21 at the top thereof. This'spring exerts pressure against the cover when it is in position to co-operate withvthe bayonet slots 4! and pins 42 to hold said cover on the base 0, In this example, the bracket I8 is rotated to raise and lower the stem 23. This alternative is used in the same manner as the dispenser of Figure l.

Figure 10 illustrates a variation of the form ,of the invention shown in Figures Tl to 9, Theblade 20 projects outwardly from the sideof the base in and an arm 45 is secured at substantially its mid point to the lower end offthe stem 23. After the, can has been punctured by the blade20, the arm 45 is inserted through the openin after which it is turned and drawn upwardly into the openings I! of the sleeve I6. 1

In each form of this invention, the blade 20 makes a hole in the can top the samesiz and shape as the sleeve {6 so that the latter fitssnugly thereinto and the base leis drawn tightly against the can top. The blade of the form oftheinvention illustratedinFig lfes 1 to 4 and 7 to 9 and the arm 31 with the weights 3,8-and the arrn 45 in the alternatives, firmly secure the dispenser to the cantop and, at the same time, aid in form in a fluid i ht ,iointbetween he wit eut nterfering in any way with the pouring of the iquid f om h an- Asd s b d abq a r-is supplied to the can as the liquid ispouredtherefrom.

With this device it ispossible to remove ;part of the contents of the :can .and then to keep the rest therein indefinitely in a sanitary manner. The cap 32 closes the end of the spout 3'l while the cap 35 may be turnedtomo've the orif ce .36 out of registry with the air passage .34 .thuspreventing any additional air from enteringthe can.

The concavesurface I4 of the .base lllcauses any liquid remaining in the dispenser to drain hack into the can.

In order to releasethe dispenser, it is only necessary to turnthenut24 orthe "bracket i8, as the case maybe to permit the stem-23 {to drop downwardly either to permit the blade 20 or the arm 45 to clear the sleeve l6 so that it may be turned and brought into registry with ,said sleeve or to permit the heavier weight :38 ;to idIClp downwardly 11mm the arm :3] assumes a position opposite that shown in Figure 5, in either .case

'- the dispenser 'then. may .herremoved'from the can.

The construction of this dispenser is so simple that it is very easily washed after use.

From the above it will readily be seen that a liquid dispenser has been provided to be attached to a receptacle, such as cans, for dispensing the liquid contents thereof without spilling them and closing the receptacle to keep the contents for comparatively long periods of time ina sanitary condition.

Various modifications may be made in this invention without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the claims, and, therefore, the exact forms shown are to be taken as-illustrative only and not in a limiting sense, and it is desired that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are disclosed in the prior art or are set forth in the accompanying claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A sanitary liquid dispenser for cans or th like, comprising a base having a slot extending therethrough, a cover removably mounted on the base, a spout extending outwardly from the cover, a sleeve depending from the base in registry with the slot, said sleeve being adapted to extend through a hole punctured in a can, means below the sleeve adapted to be moved beneath the punctured surface of the can, and means supported on the base and extending through the sleeve connected to the latter means for drawing said means against said cam surface to, secure the dispenser firmly on the can.

2. A sanitary liquid dispenser for cans or the like, comprising a base having an elongated slot extending therethrough, a cover removably mounted on the base forming a chamber therebetween, a spout extending outwardly from the cover, a sleeve depending from the base in registry with the slot, said sleeve being adapted to extend through a hole punctured in a can, a stem extending downwardly through the slot and sleeve, means on the lower end of the stem to be moved beneath the punctured surface of the can, and means supported on the base for drawing the stem outwardly to draw the latter means against said can surface to secure the dispenser firmly on the can.

3. A sanitary liquid dispenser for cans or the like, comprising a base having a slot extending therethrough; a cover removably mounted on the base, a spout extending outwardly from the cover, a blade, elongated in cross section, suspended beneath the base, said blade being adapted to puncture a can to form an elongated hole therein, and means supported on the base and extending through the slot connected to the blade for turning the blade to a position extending across the hole, said means being adapted to draw the blade against the inner surface of the can thereby drawing the base against the outer surface of the can thereof firmly to secure the dispenser on the can.

4. A sanitary liquid dispenser for cans or the like, comprising a base having a slot extending therethrough, a cover removably mounted on the base, a spout extending outwardly fromthe cover, a sleeve depending from the base in registry with the-slot, a blade, elongated in cross section, suspended beenath the base in registry with the sleeve, said blade being adapted to puncture a t can to form a hole therein the same size. and

shape as the sleeve, and means supported on the base and extending through the sleeve connected to the blade for turning the blade to a position extending across the sleeve, said means being adapted to draw the blade against the inner surface of the canthereby drawing the sleeve into the hole and the base against the'duter surface of the can firmly to secure the dispenser thereon.

5. A sanitary liquiddispenser-for cans or the like, comprisingabase having an elongated slot extending therethrough, a cover removablyside thereof, said openings being in line with each other, a blade having its upper-end the same size and shape 'as the-sleeve, a projection formed on the upper end of the blade, said blade being held against the'sleeve with the projection extending thereinto and'being adapted to puncture a can to form a hole therein the same'size andshape as thesleeve, and means supported on the base and extending through the sleeve connected to the blade for raising and lowering theblade', whereby said blade may be lowered after the can is punctured to clear the projection from the sleeve, turned and, then drawn upwardly with the projection in registry with the sleeve openings to bear against the inner surface of the can thereby drawing the base against its outer surface firmly to secure the dispenser thereon.

' 6. A sanitary liquid dispenser for cans or the like, comprising a base having a slot extending therethrough, a cover removably mounted on the base, a spout extending outwardly from the cover, a sleeve depending from the base in registry with the slot, said sleeve being adapted to extend through a hole punctured in 'a can, a stem extending downwardly through the slot and beyond the sleeve, an arm pivotally mounted at substantially its mid point on the lower end of the stem, a weight on each end of the arm, and means supported on the base for raising and lowering the stem with the arm, whereby the lower 7 end of the stem may be inserted through the hole into the can, the arm pivoted to bring the, weights against the inner surface of the can, and the stem moved upwardly to draw the sleeve into the hole and the base against the outer surface of the can.

'7. A sanitary liquid dispenser for cans or the like, comprising a base having an elongated slot extending therethrough, a cover removably mounted on the base forming a chamber therebetween, a spout extending outwardly from the cover, a sleeve depending from the base in registry with the slot and having an opening in each side thereof in line with each other, said sleeve being adapted to extend through a hole punctured in a can, a stem extending through the slot and sleeve, and means on the lower end of the stem to be moved beneath the punctured surface of the can, and means supported on the base for drawing the stem outwardly to draw the latter means into the sleeve openings against said can surface to secure the dispenser firmly on the can.

8. A device according to claim 2 in which the means on the lower end of the stem comprises a blade projecting downwardly therefrom and having a blunt upper end adapted to be drawn against the can'surface.

9. A sanitary liquid dispenser for cans or the like, comprising a base having an elongated slot extending therethrough, a cover removably mounted on the base forming a chamber therebetween, a spout extending outwardly from the cover, a sleeve depending from the base in reg- 5 istry with the slot, said sleevebeing adapted r a We? rem veh 119 129?! 9 the has? e m tie a h mbe the betw a e qe ez teh s wtwardl 1 th cover; a sleeve depend from the base i'nregextend ng therethr ue jy wet th 6?? l v p' e o e t n th w l a h le' rineterq "in a a a new $202. 4??? 91. he ase we t add h thereie; a threadt q, 2 extej 'l hr'oueh the 19119 5??? @1 9 th leeve be swlli latter, means on the Iower end of the stem to be inoved b'eneathtfie blifictii'red 's rraceerithe can, and a nut threaded on thesteinfbearifig on the brabket fond'rawing the stem" outwardly to draw the lttter means against said can surface'to secure the disfien's'er, 'fir'mly'o'n the can.

11. A sanitary liquid dispenserfor cans or the like, comprising a base having an elongated slot extending therethrough, a eover' reinovably mounted on the base forming a chamber therebetween, a spout extending outwardly from the cover, asleek e depending from the base in 'registry' with the slot, said sleeve being adapted to extend through a hole punctured in a can, and an inverted substantially U-shaped bracket threaded on the stern and loosely mounted on the base for drawing the stem outwardly to draw the latter means against said can surface to secure the dispenser firmly on the can.

J EPH ABM N E AS E 

